"Meals On Wheels" Program Is Set To Lose Funding In 2019

Updated: May 10, 2018 9:57 PMBy Anthony Joseph

(DOVER, Del.) -Delaware's senior population continues to rise but the funding for the senior programs are not. That is why a conference was held on Thursday at the Modern Maturity Center to raise awareness about the proposed cut for the "Meals On Wheels" program. Chief Executive Officer Ken Bock said the "Meals On Wheels" Program is critical for the seniors to keep them independent and in their own homes.

"What we are trying to do here today is to raise awareness about substantial financial cuts that are being proposed to the meals on wheels program," said Bock.

Statewide 100,000 meals will be eliminated if the 2019 Delaware budget is not changed.
Bock is deeply concerned about the program being cut.

"That $800,000 shortfall for the Meals on Wheels program is statewide but for us in Cheer that could be between $210,000 and $220,000 and that will affect a lot of people," said Bock. "That could be 40,000 meals just in Sussex County that will not be delivered.

Volunteer Rosemary Leager said the seniors will greatly be impacted if they cannot receive the meals.

One nutrition, another thing safety, and the social aspect of it as sometimes they only see us all day," said Leager.

Bock said it is essential for all the seniors that depend on these programs to call their elected officials now and voice their concern.